The Hawaiian roots of the word 'ukulele'

'Ukulele' is a word borrowed from Hawaiian 'ukulele'. The word entered the English language some time around 1896.

ukulele [noun] [1896]

A small guitar of Portuguese origin popularized in Hawaii in the 1880s and strung typically with four strings

See 'ukulele' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from Hawaiian.

Etymology: Hawaiian 'ʽukulele' from 'ʽuku' flea + 'lele' jumping

See more loan words from 1800s.